This course is designed to develop your critical appreciation of experimental sound design and develop an understanding of the language, history and limits of constructed sound. This will be through lectures, class discussions, critical listening, research, and a high level of practical engagement. You will examine key works in the history of sound recording, construction and manipulation, and the state of contemporary experimental sound. This course will also skill you in the application of the concepts through ’noise-industry-relevant’ digital audio editing software to record, manipulate and produce sound for use within and outside of a given framework. It also provides practical skills in the use of sound within a variety of other applications resulting in projects that may cover such areas as sound installation, interactive works, live performances (byo earplugs), audio visual works, and sound compositions.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Capabilities and Course Learning Outcomes

Develop and explore linear and non-linear spaces through spatial and aural mediums

Identify different compositional structures

Construct different compositional structures

Experiment with linear and non-linear compositions through traditional and contemporary structures

Apply, manipulate and combine media

Collect audio materials from various sources

Prepare audio materials

Experiment with traditional and contemporary audio, visual and constructive materials

Investigate problem identification and innovative creative solutions

Respond creatively to project briefs

Explore and experiment with multiple possible outcomes

Research alternative spatial & aural solutions to problems

Develop an understanding of the languages and structures developed in historical and contemporary experimental sound designDevelop an understanding of the tools and techniques used in contemporary and historical experimental sound designFurther develop production methods in order to transcend methods so as to actively incorporate the concepts and processes discovered in this course

Overview of Learning Activities

Studio classes are delivered via a week-by-week series of lectures and tutorials progressively enabling you to assimilate the necessary technical and conceptual skills for completion of this course.

Overview of Learning Resources

Many of the resources you will be expected to use are computer-based or computer peripherals and these resources will be provided in the school’s computer laboratories.

You may need to use digital content acquisition tools such as cameras and sound recording equipment: these will be available for student-loan; you organize the loan of such equipment themselves from the school’s equipment store.

You should make uses of wider university resources such as its libraries, their print and audio-visual collections and, if appropriate, the University’s Learning Skills Unit.

Some course components may be presented in lecture theatres. You will be advised of the time and lecture theatre location of such presentations.